Sleeping is legal but camping isn't

Q. In recent months, a small pickup truck with a shell attached has been parked around our neighborhood overnight. There are curtains covering the shell windows. Someone is sleeping inside. Our understanding is that the law prohibits "camping" in a vehicle. What is the difference between "camping" and "sleeping"?

- Ron and Kathy Beaufort, Laguna Niguel

A. Because your city is patrolled by the Sheriff's Department, Honk hooked up with Deputy Jeffrey Guyer in the Traffic Bureau.

He says it is illegal to camp overnight in a recreational vehicle on a public highway, but the camper-shell truck isn't an RV under county law. The deputy isn't aware of any other no-sleeping provision (assuming, of course, the sleeper is not the driver and the vehicle is not rolling).

Q. Could you please tell me if there are any public restrooms on the 241 toll road? I always have wondered what is in the large buildings by the toll booths.

- Barbara Johnson, San Clemente

A. If you are on the toll road and have to use the facilities, Honk suggests you don't think of running water.

Those buildings are administration offices, says Lisa Telles, a toll road spokeswoman. They have restrooms, for the employees, but they are not public.

Q. Every morning I enter the northbound 405 Freeway at Jamboree Road. Three lanes and meter signals were installed on the onramp, and it is an absolute mess. When the meter lights are not on, it takes less than 15 seconds to enter the freeway safely. When they are on, it takes five to eight minutes. Is there anyone I can contact to complain about this situation?

- Stephanie Silvia, Irvine

A. Besides Honk?

You can ring up the Orange County Transportation Helpline at 800-724-0353 to complain, commend or question.

This is what you will be told by a Caltrans rep, though: Those onramp lights are meant to keep the entire freeway system running as smoothly as possible; there is a benefit downstream even though you are suffering through a seemingly unnecessary, what-the-heck?, time-sapping knot.

Orange County Transportation Authority research had determined that going from 210,000 vehicles daily to as many as 250,000 would not noticeably increase noise. But the OCTA board, getting hammered by Garden Grove locals worried about any swelling noise after the freeway's expansion, unanimously approved the deal in early 2006.

We may actually get proof that the money was well spent - or not.

The OCTA took noise measurements at five neighborhood spots before the rubberized asphalt and will do so again in upcoming weeks.

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